NOTE: THIS USER GUIDE ONLY APPLIES TO THE V3 NODE
For the CTT Node V2, please consult the appropriate user guide in the CTT User Guide Directory
Congratulations on your purchase of the new CTT Node V3! The CTT Internet of Wildlife System, of which the Node has been an integral part since the beginning, has just become significantly more powerful with this new Node. We incorporated your suggestions in developing this new Node, which offers several specific benefits and improvements over the old model:
Inside your Node shipment, you’ll find two main components (Figs. A & B): a box containing the solar-rechargeable battery pack, antennas, and mounting hardware, and the Node itself in a latched case. Figure C shows the contents of one Node laid out for identification.
Key for Figure C
In 2025, we discontinued the original 4V solar-rechargeable power supply in favor of a slightly larger one that provides 5V of power and a new gimbal attachment for easier and more secure positioning. In addition to the extra voltage, this supply features a USB-C port that can be used for manually recharging the batteries in the absence of solar exposure, and a new heavy-duty water-tight connector.
Figure D: New 5V solar panel as packaged for shipping. Face down with accessory parts in plastic enclosure.
Figure E: Upon removing the 5V solar/battery pack, you’ll find the hardware for mounting your V3 Node and 5V Solar Panel underneath.
Key for Figure F:
We have no doubt that you are excited to deploy your Nodes, so here’s a quick start guide to get you going in a few minutes.
Your Node comes with the hardware necessary to mount it to a piece of 3/4” conduit. Note that other mounting hardware is absolutely possible, so feel free to use whatever makes sense for your site.
You will also need:
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that before powering up your Nodes, you first attach antennas to the appropriate ports on the outside of the Node case. The antennas mount on the top of the Node case and point upward. The 2.4GHz port is on the RIGHT, and the 434MHz port is on the LEFT when viewing the Node from the front. You can double-check this by matching the proper SMA port to the proper radio—on the CTT Node, the 434MHz radio is the size of a postage stamp, while the 2.4GHz radio is tiny. If you are using the antennas shipped with your Nodes, the longer one is the 2.4GHz antenna, and the shorter one is the 434MHz antenna.
Consult the photos below for a visual description of how the hardware is connected. In short, use the four screws to attach the mounting plates to the back of the Node V3. The top plate also has three holes in a triangle pattern that can be used for mounting the solar-rechargeable power supply. You can also decide to mount the power supply elsewhere if that’s more convenient or better for recharging.
There are two rectangular cutouts on each of the mounting plates that can accommodate a hose clamp for wrapping and tightening around your mast material. Zip ties or other tools may be used as well.
STOP! Have you attached the antennas to the Node first? If not, DO SO before connecting power. Otherwise, you may damage the 2.4GHz radio!
The power cable runs first through the cap of the
cable gland, then the rubber grommet with the
lip of the grommet facing toward the Node (see
red arrow in the image below).
When you screw the cable gland cap onto the
cable gland, it will compress the grommet and
seal around the cable. Before tightening, make sure the power plug is
pulled through the cable gland and into the case, and plugged into the
5V barrel jack on the Node board. Ensure a little bit of
slack on the cable inside the case, then tighten down the cable gland
cap until there is no movement in the cable when tugged lightly. This
process both seals the entry from water and helps reduce the chance of
unintentionally pulling on the power cable and damaging the board.
We recommend final tightening of the cap with a crescent wrench, but be careful not to overtighten and crush the cable!
Once the cap is tightened, you should see the grommet compressed around the cable.